Unlocking the Future: VMA’s Annual Meeting and Beyond Tackle Key Trends

This time of year I’m spending time planning VMA’s Annual Meeting, and a significant part of that is working with our member leaders to discuss and understand what’s on their minds, and how that translates into topics to cover at the Annual Meeting. It also provides a time to reflect on how the issues and activities VMA is working on help our member companies in their businesses. In looking at this issue of Valve Magazine, there are certainly overlaps in what is covered here and what we’ll delve deeper into at the 85^th VMA Annual Meeting early this fall.

First and foremost, hydrogen. Close behind are carbon capture, energy transition and energy security — all very important topics for our industry. The Annual Meeting will address these topics, and on page 18, we take a look at control valves in hydrogen applications, focusing on the importance of material selection and sizing, as well as setting up for diagnostics to prevent fugitive emissions and other issues once installed. I’m also excited to announce that VMA will be holding a Hydrogen Valve Summit — open to anyone in the industry — next spring! This is the first event for our industry that is solely focused on hydrogen and carbon capture opportunities. It will be held prior to the Valve Forum, and I hope to see you there!

A market segment that we haven’t covered in the magazine for a while is food and beverage. This issue’s feature article (page 14) takes a look at some of the unique processing and valve needs in the industry, and even if your company isn’t a part of the industry — the article is an interesting read!

Other articles get back to basics by exploring important safety considerations and a case study with valves used in the nuclear industry, as well as articles on check valves and pressure seal valves.

Also in this issue of Valve, the VMA News section discusses the PFAS chemicals activities VMA is working on to support our members and the industry at large. With the potential to have detrimental effects on everything from the environment, health, the economy and more, it is of paramount importance to all of us. I am also happy to announce two new members in this issue!

Thank you for reading Valve Magazine, and as always if your company isn’t a member and would like more information, please contact me.